The Mets are sending scouts to the Dominican Republic to participate in the showcasing of Cuban 1B Jose Abreu... Marc Carig reports that 'the Mets in position to take on a big contract via trade. Again, it seems to be a route they are exploring'... Jorge Castillo reports that 'Source says Mets will be more aggressive in pursuing Cuban and Japanese players with $ flexibility. Doesn't mean they'll be signing anyone'... Mets to give Dan Warthen two-year contract... the Mets will target 32-year old 1B Mike Napoli as a possible replacement for both Lucas Duda and Ike Davis. Stats with Boston this year: 498-AB, .259/.360/.482/.842, 23-HR, 92-RBI... the Red Sox, Giants, Rangers, Reds and Dodgers -- are in the running for free agent Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero... The Texas Rangers designated 27-yr. old OF Joey Butler (2012: AAA - .290, 20-HR, 78-RBI) for assignment to make room for Nelson Cruz. ... The Giants are currently in talks with Tim Lincecum about a contract extension and a deal could get done before free agency starts...
I think everyone is in agreement that the Mets need some power. Whether it comes from Abreu, Cruz, Napoli or someone else remains to be seen. It's interesting that all 3 of these guys could be making around the same annual salary. While Abreu is younger, he'll likely comand a longer contract. I'm starting to think that Napoli could make more sense for this team since he apparently played a pretty solid first base this season. Cruz is pretty bad defensively but damn he can hit. Granderson & Cruz would be pretty nice additions to this team. You could then move Ike, Duda, Murphy, Flores and/or Young in a move to upgrade shortstop, which would still leave the team some $ to sign a SP while staying around the $90M payroll
ReplyDeleteThere are soo many opportunities to make this team better so I hope we have an exciting offseason. Its nearly impossible to bring a worser lineup on the field than this year
ReplyDeleteI love the Napoli option and I love it even more if the Mets also signed at least one real outfielder like Cruz. Both, for different reasons, can be had for three year contracts which is the length of time this team needs to firm up their 25-man until the kids mature.
ReplyDeleteGranderson might be the one guy I would give a Wright-like length contract to, but it's not going to happen.
No, go out there and sign 4 guy.
Right now, payroll is around $33mil... go get a SS, OF, OF, and 1B and average it out at $12mil a year... that's $81mil...
add your ARB raises and go to camp...
Yanks can keep Granderson at his age.
ReplyDeleteI agree concerning Granderson. His 200 ks a year aren't worth the huge contract. I'd rather have Choo who will get on base 40% of the time for Wright and then I'd go after a guy like Cruz or Beltran.
ReplyDeleteThat'll really help the club. People are getting upset by reports that Alderson won't sign the bigger free agents. I don't see what the big deal is because most of them aren't worth the money they'll get. They'd probably be better off with the guys like Cruz, Beltran, and Peralta. If Napoli can be had at a good price then him too. I like the idea of keeping flexibility on the team for when developing players emerge from the system.
Say they sign a few good outfielders. Everything is going well and in July, say Puello is tearing the cover off the ball. That sets up a July deal to help the system or team even further while maintaining a low payroll. It's the Rays model and it works.
you can re-build this team using mid-range building blocks...
ReplyDeleteguys you would pay in the $9-14mil range for 2/3 years...
remember, on paper, there is a hell of an infield being developed that comes of age in 2017 (Smith, Herrera, Cecchini/Rosario, Wright, d-Arnaud).
I'll say it again...
4 guys...
SS OF OF 1B 2-3 years - average $12mill a year... $81mil payroll
Mack, can you see the Mets going for Choo at $16 or $17 per, Drew at $9 or 10 per and trying to sign Byrd on the cheap at 2 for $10. Byrd knows that Puello, Vaughn and Lawley are coming and the best he can get from the Mets is one full year and then a reserve role.
ReplyDeleteStill leaves some money to add a veteran cathcer, a few pitchers on minor league deals to supplement the rotation and bullpen.
choo
drew
murphy
wright
byrd
Davis/Satin
TDA
lagares/MDD
that is not a bad lineup with our pitching.
I don't think the METS will bring anyone in Who makes more than 15 million per season. I like Buddy having the Mets sign Drew. I also see them re-signing Byrd,Sandy seems to like players he's had before. I see them also going international and signing Tanaka.
ReplyDeleteI see 3 signings along with Hawkins.
Stephen Drew, Marlon Byrd and Tanaka.
How about signing Napoli, Cruz & swapping Flores for Owings. Adding two legit bats in the middle of the lineup would go a long way. I also think Eric young is going to fight his way into the lineup. It's gonna be hard for them to sit the reigning stolen base champ. Unless we trade for Alexei Ramirez, I don't see many other lead off type hitters. This lineup is a little right hand heavy so maybe they sign Drew and trade Flores for a close OF prospect who can fight it out with Young.
ReplyDeleteYoung
Murphy
Wright
Cruz
Napoli
TDA
Owings
Lagares/DD